Letter: Public education advocates outline priorities for 8th district candidates

APPLETON - Members of Fox Cities Advocates for Public Education (FCA4PE) recently met with both Congressman Mike Gallagher and 8th Congressional District candidate Beau Liegeois to discuss their support for the children in our public schools.

We asked Gallagher and Liegeois to make children their legislative priority and also for their support in the following areas:

1. Support full funding for public schools, the cornerstone of our democracy. Approximately 6-7% of public school funding comes from the federal government.

2. Increase or maintain current Medicaid funding levels. Cuts to Medicaid will affect funding for mandatory services for students with special needs, approximately 14% of current Wisconsin students.

3. Promote and support programs for child well-being and readiness. Several key, evidence-based programs, such as CHIP, MIECHV, and child nutrition programs need to be reauthorized. We also asked Gallagher and Liegeois to support legislation for working families.

4. Support a clean Dream Act with a path to citizenship. Undocumented children in the Fox Valley who were brought here as children, should not be punished for the actions of their parents. They deserve a future as full citizens.

FCA4PE thanks Congressman Gallagher and Beau Liegeois for their time as well as their willingness to listen and to learn.

Barbara Wagner

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